Chronic Users of Supraphysiological Doses of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Develop Hematological and Serum Lipoprotein Profiles That Are Characteristic of High Cardiovascular Risk (original) (raw)
Related papers
2015
Background: The most common drug abuse among athletes is anabolic steroids which lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases and sudden death. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular outcomes of anabolic consumption in body building athletes. Materials and Methods: Totally, 267 male athletes at the range of 20-45 years old with the regular consumption of anabolic steroids for >2 months with at least once weekly. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), and hematocrit (Hct) levels were measured after 10 h of fasting. Data analysis was performed using K2, t-test, ANOVA and correlation coefficient through SPSS 17. Results: There was a nonsignificant difference between groups regarding HDL, TG, and total cholesterol. There was a significant decrease in the total and categorized LDL and Hct levels in consumers of anabolic steroid versus nonusers (P = 0.01 and P = 0.041, respectively). Results showed a significant incre...
A LOCAL STUDY ON THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ANABOLIC ANDROGENIC STEROID ABUSE ON LIBYAN MALE ATHLETES
IJCIRAS, 2019
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are man-made derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone, originally designed for therapeutic uses to provide higher anabolic potency with lower androgenic effects. Increasing numbers of young athletes are using these agents illicitly to enhance physical fitness, appearance, and performance despite their numerous side effects and worldwide banning. Today, their use remains one of the main health problems in sports because of their availability and low price. The present study focused on investigating the adverse effects of anabolic androgenic steroid abuse on serum sex hormones, liver and renal function tests, fasting glucose levels, and lipid metabolism in Libyan male recreational bodybuilders. We have recruited fifteen (15) male bodybuilders (age 19-32 years) and an equal number of healthy non-obese, non-AAS-using sedentary controls. Serum sex hormones {luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, and prolactin (PRL)}, liver function indices {serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin}, renal function parameters (serum creatinine and urea), lipid profile {total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)}, and serum glucose levels were measured. Abuse of AAS was associated with significant decreases (p<0.005) in serum levels of LH (66.9%), FSH (49.8%), and testosterone (63.7%) together with significant increases (p<0.05) in PRL concentrations (49.8%) in AAS-using bodybuilders compared to sedentary controls. AAS-using athletes had significantly higher (p<0.05) circulating levels of total bilirubin (116.3%), direct bilirubin (127.6%), aspartate (1752.9%) and alanine (263.1%) transaminases than those of sedentary control subjects. Serum ALP levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) between the two groups. Concerning renal functions, AAS-using athletes had significantly higher serum concentrations of creatinine (28.6%) and urea (21.3%) than sedentary controls. Meanwhile, AAS abuse was accompanied by atherogenic lipid profile. AAS-using athletes had significantly higher (p<0.05) serum levels of TG (45.6%), LDL-C (26.0%), and VLDL-C (45.6%) together with significantly lower serum concentrations of HDL-C (31.3%) than sedentary controls. Serum TC and fasting glucose concentrations were not significantly different (p>0.05) between the two groups. The results presented in the study confirm that abuse of AAS induces unfavorable body functions and undesirable side effects. Therefore, efforts should be sought against use of these compounds outside the therapeutic frame.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE USE OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS AND OCCURRENCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN ADULTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW (Atena Editora), 2024
Introduction: Anabolic androgenic steroid hormones (AAS) are derivatives of testosterone, produced mainly in the testes in men and in the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. Initially used during the Second World War to increase the aggressiveness of soldiers and for therapeutic purposes, EAA became popular among athletes to improve sports performance. Currently, its use is common among recreational athletes, especially young people, despite the unknown or underestimated risks to cardiovascular health. Method: This literature review was conducted in six stages, including topic selection, definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria, and critical evaluation of studies. The research was carried out at BIREME, using the VHL and databases such as PubMed and Cochrane. 127 articles were found, of which, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 5 were selected for analysis, in addition to information from ABC Cardiol. Results and discussion: The review identified several negative impacts of EAA use on the cardiovascular system, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial necrosis, heart failure, thromboembolism and arrhythmia. Theoretical models explain these effects by changes in lipoprotein levels, increased platelet aggregation, vasospasm and myocardial injuries. Conclusion: The use of EAA represents a significant risk to cardiovascular health, evidenced by several studies that link these substances to adverse cardiac events. The high incidence of heart attack and chronic arterial disease among adolescents and adults reinforces the need to discourage the use of AAS. Therefore, it is crucial to warn about the serious and potentially fatal risks of these substances.
Cardiovascular risk and androgenic anabolic steroids
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 2012
Althoughseveraldrugsarepurportedtoimproveexerciseperformance, androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) are the most widespread. Furthermore, unlike other drugs, their use has expanded beyond competition, to non-competitive and recreational athletes. Correspondingly health professionals are more likely to come into contact with users of AAS than with users of other performanceenhancingdrugs.Whiletherearenumerousreportsoutliningserious cardiovascularconsequencestohigh-doseAASabuse,thisevidence isoftenlimitedbydifficultiesingainingaccesstousersduetothe legalstatusofAAS.Additionallytheco-abuseofothersubstances(as additional muscle mass enhancers, or to mitigate possible side effects) is a further confounding factor. This review examines the evidenceforAAShavinganegativeeffectonthecardiacandvascular tissue and the corresponding risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Possible mechanisms of action by which AAS bring about thesechangesarealsodiscussed.
Anabolic Steroids and Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Controversy
Cureus, 2020
Anabolic steroids (AS) are synthetic derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone. The use of AS is not limited to bodybuilders and athletes, but non-athletes also use them. It is used to enhance athletic performance, induce muscle hypertrophy, and augment male sexual characteristics. AS use is associated with a wide range of side effects and potential cardiovascular complications. In this article, we have searched the available literature to investigate the association between AS use and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The results revealed that AS was linked to lipid metabolism derangements, hypertension, coagulation disorders, and cardiomyopathy. We concluded, based on the relevant data, that there was evidence that suggests an association with CVD, primarily myocardial infarction, fatal arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy in AS users. The general population should be informed of the risk. Also, methods of primary and secondary prevention should be implemented to mitigate the risk of CVD secondary to AS.
Anabolic steroids and cardiovascular risk: A national population-based cohort study
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2015
Background: Non-therapeutic use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been associated with various adverse effects; one of the most serious being direct cardiovascular effects with unknown long-term consequences. Therefore, large studies of the association between AAS and cardiovascular outcomes are warranted. We investigated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in individuals who tested positive for AAS. Methods and results: Between 2002 and 2009, a total of 2013 men were enrolled in a cohort on the date of their first AAS test. Mortality and morbidity after cohort entry was retrieved from national registries. Of the 2013 individuals, 409 (20%) tested positive for AAS. These men had twice the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rate as those with negative tests (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.3). Compared to the Swedish population, all tested men had an increased risk of premature death from all causes (standardized mortality ratio for AAS-positive: 19.3, 95% CI 12.4-30.0; for AASnegative: 8.3, 95% CI 6.1-11.0). Conclusion: Non-therapeutic exposure to AAS appears to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and premature death.